Compare the2026 Mitsubishi OutlanderVS 2026 Toyota Rav4

The Mitsubishi Outlander has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Rav4 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Outlander has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Rav4 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Outlander and the Rav4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The Outlander comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Rav4’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the Rav4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Rav4 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Outlander’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Rav4’s (7 vs. 5 years).

The Outlander has more powerful engines than the Rav4:

The Outlander has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Rav4 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the Outlander’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Rav4:

The Outlander’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Rav4 are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Outlander SE/SEL’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Rav4 (255/45R20 vs. 235/65R17).

The Outlander ES/Trail’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Rav4 LE’s standard 65 series tires. The Outlander SE/SEL’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Rav4 XSE’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Outlander ES/Trail has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Rav4 LE.

The Outlander has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Rav4 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the Outlander’s turning circle is .2 feet tighter than the Rav4’s (36.7 feet vs. 36.9 feet). The Outlander’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Rav4 GR Sport’s (36.7 feet vs. 37.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outlander ES/Trail has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Rav4 GR Sport (8.3 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Outlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Outlander uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Rav4 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Outlander has standard seating for 7 passengers; the Rav4 can only carry 5.

The Outlander has 26.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Rav4 (125.5 vs. 98.9).

The Outlander has 2.7 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear legroom and 3.7 inches more rear hip room than the Rav4.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Outlander’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Rav4 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Outlander’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Rav4’s (2000 vs. 1750 pounds).

While the Rav4 GR Sport is not recommended to tow, any Outlander can tow a minimum of 2000 pounds.

The Outlander SEL’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Rav4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Outlander ES’ standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Rav4 LE’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Outlander S-AWC has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Rav4 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Outlander to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Rav4 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Outlander SEL is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Rav4’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Mitsubishi Outlander and Toyota Rav4 offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Outlander offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Rav4’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mitsubishi Outlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.